Minister for Roads Duncan Gay today announced a new cycling package to improve safety for all road users in NSW, developed in consultation with key stakeholders and government bodies.

“Earlier this year I committed to and held a roundtable to discuss cycling issues,” Minister Gay said.

“I received recommendations on these issues – and the changes we’re making are about striking a balance for everyone on the roads and footpaths.

“Even with all of these changes in place, which reflect recent changes in other states, I maintain that all road users need to exercise respect when using the road – cyclists, motorists and pedestrians.”

Initiatives in the new package start in March next year and include:

Introducing a new rule requiring drivers to leave a minimum distance when passing bicycle riders – at least one metre when travelling up to 60km/h and at least 1.5 metres when travelling faster than 60km/h, which will attract a penalty of $319 and two demerit points.

Increasing penalties to help improve safety on our roads for bicycle riders who are:

Making it compulsory for adult riders to carry photo ID so that they can be identified in an emergency or if they break the road rules.

Introducing a new safety advisory recommendation for bicycle riders to provide a minimum distance of one metre when passing pedestrians on a shared path, where practical.

To educate road users about these changes, a new road safety campaign – ‘Go Together’ - has been developed.

The road safety initiatives promoted in ‘Go Together’ were developed in consultation with NSW Police, cycling groups, the Motor Accidents Insurance Regulator, NRMA Motoring and Services and the Pedestrian Council of Australia.

The harmonising of fines to match car fines is stupid. A fine traditionally represents the level of issue created by the action. To suggest bikes are on par with automobiles in the risk to life and limb is not borne out by stats. It is just a sop to anti-cyclists. No benefit to cyclist road safety is allowed to be introduced in this country without one.

The harmonising of fines to match car fines is stupid. A fine traditionally represents the level of issue created by the action. To suggest bikes are on par with automobiles in the risk to life and limb is not borne out by stats. It is just a sop to anti-cyclists. No benefit to cyclist road safety is allowed to be introduced in this country without one.